The UBR (Uniform Business Rate) may be the same, but the rateable values most definitely aren't. That tends to impact other areas such as waste disposal, water etc. I would have thought insurance rates were higher too, particularly Employer's insurance.
Far be it for me to defend extortionate prices for Southern pis....oops! BEER, but it probably is more expensive to run a pub in the South. It's why so many of the mewling, snarling, yuppies move up here.....ruin our bars, take our jobs, steal our women etc etc.....
(when are you being abducted, Tara?
).